Integral Memory With FIPS Approved 256-bit Hardware Encrypted mSATA SSD

Integral Memory, a brand of Integral Memory plc, has launched Crypto mSATA SSD, a range of mSATA (MO-300) SSDs featuring military-level, AES 256-bit hardware encryption.

 
As well as the secure, convenient and low-cost protection of sensitive data, the new drives offer the benefits of solid-state storage. This includes low-power operation, silent running, rapid boot time and, as there are no moving parts, reliability and enhanced resistance to shock and vibration.

Protecting sensitive data through encryption is a mandatory requirement for a range of organisations, as bodies such as the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) impose increasingly severe penalties for data protection breaches resulting from lost and stolen computers. Crypto mSATA SSD is solution with a low TCO that will allow banks, law firms, educational establishments, healthcare professionals, local government and other business and public sector organisations to meet their data protection obligations.

Developed in the UK and available in capacities from 64GB to 256GB, the FIPS 197-validated Crypto mSATA SSDs extend Integral’s Crypto brand from its range of encrypted SATA III SSDs and USB Flash Drives.

The fast mSATA SSDs can be installed in laptops, ultrabooks and small form-factor machines (for use as embedded secure storage) in minutes.

Crypto mSATA SSD uses hardware-based full disk encryption (FDE) to offer a higher level of security than software-only encryption. Furthermore, unlike software, the disks place no additional overhead on the processor and, with no requirement for on-going licence fees, a one-off payment delivers a lower TCO .

With Crypto mSATA SSD, all of the data on the drive including the OS is 256-bit AES encrypted at system shutdown. The security system is BIOS-independent and a user can only access the disk and initiate Windows boot-up by entering the correct high-strength 8-16 character alphanumeric password. In the event of a brute force password attack, all encrypted data are automatically erased after a pre-set number of failed password attempts. The data and encryption key are securely destroyed and the Crypto mSATA SSD is reset. In addition, once encryption has been set, it is not possible to clone the Crypto drive.

Offering a multi-lingual interface that simplifies global deployments, the SSDLock program supplied with Crypto mSATA SSD provides an easy-to-use interface for system configuration. Using the SSDLock program, the number of failed password attempts that are allowed can be set at between 6 and 20 and administrators have the option to create both a user password and a master override password. This allows the administrator to unlock the Crypto mSATA SSD in the event that the user forgets their password.

Unlike other drives where the disk identifier is factory set by the manufacturer, Crypto mSATA SSD, via the SSDLock program, also includes an enterprise feature which provides administrators with the option to allocate each Crypto drive with an embedded unique or company-wide identifier. This unique ID simplifies the implementation and management of endpoint security solutions in which only certain computers and devices may be allowed on the network, or where administrators want to limit and control certain users’ access to company data and applications.

Samik Halai, Integral’s security product manager, comments: “In 2012, Integral Memory was first to market with a true 256-bit hardware encrypted SSD. I am very happy that again in 2013, Integral leads the way with a hardware encrypted mSATA solution that has been independently validated by NIST to meet the comprehensive FIPS 197 data security standard. Crypto mSATA SSD allows organisations to meet their obligations under data protection laws, provides many advantages over software encryption alternatives, and delivers all the benefits of SSD technology ranging from improved productivity to increased laptop battery life.”

Crypto mSATA SSDs are compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Capacities available and in stock now are 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. A two-year warranty is standard for all models.
For more details on Integral Crypto mSATA SSD click here.

Hardware encryption over software encryption
The major difference between hardware encryption and software encryption is that with hardware-based encryption, the encryption and decryption processes are carried out by a dedicated processor (part of the Integral Crypto hardware). In software encryption, the resources of the device on which the software is installed are used for the encrypting and decrypting of data. This makes hardware encryption much faster. Another significant advantage of hardware encryption is that the cryptographic key is stored in a separate inaccessible portion of memory storage, making it more secure than software encryption.